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Stillwater Mining Co. kicks in to help Yellowstone Art Museum
February 09, 2012
Editor@montanaliving.com
Stillwater Mining Company has made a gift that completes the Yellowstone Art Museum’s (YAM’s) fundraising effort to build and equip its innovative new Visible Vault, which opened to the public in August, 2010. A grant of $6,200 from Stillwater Mining brings to 100% a five-year fundraising effort for this $2.6-million project.
Stillwater Mining Company joins a distinguished group of donors that made this facility possible. Major grants from the Charles M. Bair Family Trust, the Kresge Foundation, the M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust, First Interstate Bancsystem Foundation, the state Dept. of Commerce’s TIIP program, and many others contributed to its creation. John Beaudry, Stillwater Mining Company’s Public Affairs Manager, states, “Stillwater Mining Company is pleased to partner with other Billings area organizations in support of YAM’s Visible Vault.”
The Visible Vault, an “open” collection storage facility, houses the YAM’s 7,300-piece permanent collection in a publicly accessible way. The facility is one of a rare few of its kind nationwide. Visitors to the space may observe and discuss behind-the-scenes activities with staff, and interact with an artist in an active studio space. Brooke Atherton is the studio’s third artist-in-residence, a fiber artist who will be on site through June. A public-access computer station linked to the collection database and interpretation about the history of the collection and cultural preservation are features under development for the new facility.
Executive Director Robyn G. Peterson notes, “Stillwater Mining has for many years supported a wide range of projects and programs for the Yellowstone Art Museum. It is our great pleasure to credit them with completion of a project that is as completely unique in Montana as is their own platinum mine.”
Linda Shelhamer, President of the YAM’s Board of Trustees states, “We are very thankful that Stillwater Mining gave us the final gift to allow us to construct the Visible Vault, an important project for the YAM and the downtown corridor. Stillwater has a fine tradition of supporting the YAM and the entire community.”
The YAM is the region’s largest contemporary art museum offering changing exhibitions, education, café, museum store, and a 7,300-piece permanent collection. The Yellowstone Art Museum hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, & Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Thursday & Friday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; and Sunday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission: Members free, $6 adults, $3 students with valid ID, $3 children 6 – 18, under 6 free, $10 family (2 adults and 3 children max.) $4 discount price (please inquire).
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